The National tribune., 1887-03-31

AoInlhaDuer-ln-tnlei waiter y. Iayne ID
thoroughly imbued with the idea Of making
The Sons of Veterans a genuine military or
eaui2ation which the country can rely
upon in time OF trouble, and which will be
a nursery for soldiers and officers for future
wars. Ia his annual address he said:
u has been my desire 20 accomplish n double
purpose with our organization. While we arc
teaohiEg the principles of Friendship. Charity and
Loyalty 20 the hrothers of the order, Jet Us also
teach them all that pertains 20 military tactics, as
wei ~ company, battalion brigade, division and
corps organization.
BY making this a prominent feature in
The organization it viii at once stand before
the public in a new and better light. Every
body recognizes the need Of just such n reli-
ance and everybody viii welcome the oher
Of the Sons Of Veterans TO provide it.
Those who went through the last war re-
member wildly what our utter ignorance of
military art and organization cost MS. 1t
was the commoDest thing 10 find whole regi-
ments Of young men without single man
who knew enough about drill TO teach the
simplest facings. In 1861, and as late rs the
second call in 1862, one could frequently see
company and even regimental officers stand
ing in front Of their commands reading from
the manual Of tactics, and putting their men
through the drill as they read it, Thousands
of our best officers went into camp As ignor-
ant Of the elements Of drill and discipline
MS Of Chinese grammar, and kept but one
lesson ahead of their commands by studying
mp at night what they taught the next day.
A man who knew enough to 60 through the
facings 10 pitch tent and roll blanket,
was aprize-a boon-and his possession was
fought for. Few men knew whether Cap
tain commanded Major, or rice UerSd. The
organization Of a brigade, division or corps
was almost undreamed Of This did as much
as anything else to lose us the battle of Bull
Run. BY the time that battle was fought our
raw levies had become partially educated as
TO company and regimental organizations
and these units manuvered fairly we'll But
they knew almost nothing about brigades
and divisions, had no acquaintance with
their brigade and division command
ers and consequently could not be
manuvered by them to any purpose. The
rebels who came upon the flank from John
ston's army had had more experience in
acting as brigades, and that decided the bat
tie. If the Sons of Veterans were 10 take
arms and enter the field tomorrow they
would be more effective than the men who
marched TO Bull Run under Mcdowell, foI
the reason that they are organized in a more
military way, with every man knowing who
is the next man above, below OF beside him
and where be can look for orders, and with
the officers knowing just who is under their
command, and what they are probably capa-
bic Of doing.
Had we had in 1861 such body as We
want the Sons of Veterans 10 become, tn,
war would not have lasted half so long, and
not only countless millions of treasure would
have been saved, but very much of tn,
misery and hardship would have been spared
Regiments would have been prepared for th,
field in quarter the time that il did take
and many long weeks in camp would hav,
been saved. by putting into each regimen
a number Of well-drilled, intelligent younl
men, the whole mass would have beer
nodded into shape in a short time.
Making Camps regular militia companie
viii give each of them direct and stron,
hold upon its communities Everybod,
cloves the military" and takes a deep ant
proud interest in his home company. ]
this company is made up of men who's
fathers were soldiers in actual warfare, tn
interest and pride viii be intensified.
Military drill and discipline are good 70
any man, especially when founded on sucl
solid common sense as the present system is
1t is Of the greatest assistance in fitting
young man for life. He is mentally, moral,
and physically better for the training an
exercise which he will get in properly
conducted company of militia. All othe
things being equal, he viii outstrip in th
race Of life the young man who has not ha
the benefit Of that experience.